Jammu and Kashmir: Business activities, internet, train service remain suspended

Srinagar, Nov 6 (UNI) Business activities, internet and pre-paid mobile and train service remained suspended for the 94th day on Wednesday in Kashmir valley, where people are protesting against the scrapping of Articles 370 and 35 A, besides dividing it into two Union Territories on August 5.

There is no curfew in any part of the valley, including this summer capital, police said on Tuesday.

However, to maintain law and order problem, restrictions under Section 144 CrPC, prohibiting assembly of four or more persons, also remained imposed in the valley.

All gates of the historic Jamia Masjid in the downtown remained closed for devotees since August 5. A large number of Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) are deployed in Jamia market and outside, to prevent people from entering the worship place, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who is currently under house arrest.

Business and other activities resumed in most parts of Srinagar, including the historic Lal Chowk and Gantaghar this morning at 0700 hrs. However, less number of shops and business establishments opened on Thursday, as compared to previous days.

Roadside vendors were still missing in the area, where one person was killed and over 35 were injured in a grenade attack by unidentified persons in civil line area on Monday afternoon.

However, life again came to a halt at 1100 hrs, when shopkeepers closed their establishments and left for home.

Public transport, including the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses, have remained off the roads since August 5.

Private vehicles and three-wheelers were also seen plying on different routes, particularly in the uptown and civil lines. A number of cabs were seen plying on some routes. Train service between Baramulla in north and Banihal in Jammu have also remained suspended, since August 5.

Pre-paid mobile service and internet service, including Broadband of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) also remained suspended for the past 94 days.

Life remained paralysed due to strike in this and other north Kashmir towns, a report from Baramulla said.

Traffic was off the roads, though a good number of vehicles were seen plying in the district. Additional security forces remained deployed at sensitive places to prevent any law and order problem.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in this and other district and tehsil headquarters of south Kashmir on Wednesday, a report from Anantnag said.

However, private vehicles were seen plying, but passenger traffic remained off the roads. Complete shutdown also continued in south Kashmir district of Kulgam.

There was no change in the situation as similar reports were also received from the central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam.